Terms and rules

The providers ("we", "us", "our") of the service provided by this web site ("Service") are not responsible for any user-generated content and accounts. Content submitted express the views of their author only.

This Service is only available to users who are at least 13 years old. If you are younger than this, please do not register for this Service. If you register for this Service, you represent that you are this age or older.

All content you submit, upload, or otherwise make available to the Service ("Content") may be reviewed by staff members. All Content you submit or upload may be sent to third-party verification services (including, but not limited to, spam prevention services). Do not submit any Content that you consider to be private or confidential.

You agree to not use the Service to submit or link to any Content which is defamatory, abusive, hateful, threatening, spam or spam-like, likely to offend, contains adult or objectionable content, contains personal information of others, risks copyright infringement, encourages unlawful activity, or otherwise violates any laws. You are entirely responsible for the content of, and any harm resulting from, that Content or your conduct.

We may remove or modify any Content submitted at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Requests for Content to be removed or modified will be undertaken only at our discretion. We may terminate your access to all or any part of the Service at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice.

You are granting us with a non-exclusive, permanent, irrevocable, unlimited license to use, publish, or re-publish your Content in connection with the Service. You retain copyright over the Content.

These terms may be changed at any time without notice.

If you do not agree with these terms, please do not register or use the Service. Use of the Service constitutes acceptance of these terms. If you wish to close your account, please contact us.

LivingReefs.com Community Standards

Welcome to the new chapter of LivingReefs.com! To ensure our community remains a helpful, professional, and enjoyable place for all reefkeepers, we ask all members to follow these guidelines.

Access to this community is a privilege. Members who violate these rules may have their accounts suspended or banned at the discretion of the administration.

1. Family-Oriented Content: This is an all-ages community. Do not post content that is inappropriate for children, including profanity, illicit material, or links to illegal content.
2. The "No Stupid Questions" Rule: We were all beginners once. Be courteous and respectful. Personal attacks, "gatekeeping," or aggressive behavior toward new hobbyists will not be tolerated. If you disagree with an opinion, do so constructively.
3. No "Search Shaming": We are here to help, not to gatekeep. If a question has been asked before, feel free to provide a link to the existing thread, but do so kindly. Telling a member to "just use the search button" is considered unhelpful and discourteous. Every question is an opportunity for a new discussion.
4. No Elitism or "Gear Snobbery": Living Reefs is a home for every hobbyist, whether they have a $10,000 professional display or a $100 DIY setup. Do not shame others for their equipment choices, budget constraints, or lack of experience. We celebrate the "Living Reef", regardless of the price tag on the glass.
5. Report, Don't Retaliate: If you feel attacked, use the "Report" button. Do not engage in an argument. Responding aggressively to a troll makes you part of the problem, and both parties may face moderation.
6. Stay on Topic: Please keep posts relevant to the forum they are in. Off-topic content may be moved to the appropriate section or removed to keep our "Workshop" and "Reef Talk" areas clean.
7. Direct Message (DM) Etiquette: Do not use DMs to solicit members or send unwanted spam. If you receive an unsolicited sales pitch via DM, please report it.
8. Commercial Use & Self-Promotion: Do not post referral, affiliate, or self-promotional links without prior approval from administration. This includes linking to your own commercial ventures or competing reef sites.
9. Privacy: Do not post private conversations or personal information (doxing) of any member without their explicit, public consent.
10. Moderator Directives: If a staff member gives a directive or moves a thread, please comply. If you have questions about a moderation decision, contact us privately via the contact system rather than starting a public thread.
11. One Account Per Person: Each user is permitted one account. Duplicate accounts will be merged or removed.
12. Advice & Animal Safety: While we encourage sharing knowledge, remember that lives are at stake. Do not intentionally give "troll" advice that could lead to the death of livestock or damage to equipment.
13. Spam & AI Content: To maintain the quality of our discussions, automated "spam" posts or low-effort AI-generated threads designed to drive traffic to external sites are strictly prohibited.